It is the procedure that makes the "Art" in all things, not the creation itself. We can control only what we do but not what we can achieve. One must learn to enjoy the producing more than the product. The excitement of this is that we can always expect surprises from what we do, whether good or bad. This is my basic motive that drives me forward despite any circumstances.

It is essential to learn about myself in order to be successful. I must admit and claim that for most, or may be all human beings, the biggest challenge is understanding themselves. The biggest lie sometimes lies within oneself, where one doesn't WANT to be honest.

When I perform as a pianist or conductor, I always ask myself whether I see my own weakness, where and why...It has to be no-holds-barred honesty, so that I will be able to find the solution to any particular problem. I learn about SELF-AWARENESS when I purposefully pay attention to every single cell in my muscles, thought in my brain and feeling in my heart.

It is dangerous to think we can only learn from teachers or others. After all, I am alone on stage, and must take full responsibility for what I do. Heinrich Neuhaus, teacher of renowned pianists like Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter, expressed in his book "The Art of Piano Playing" that a good teacher's goal is to make the student independent of the teacher. My understanding is that our ultimate goal is to become our own teacher.

Merely relying on experience could be dangerous as well!! It is not reliable if we don't live in the moment. Performance has to be fresh each second we are on stage. Experience doesn't help if we don't create a new experience every moment. It is however experience itself that often causes experienced people to stumble by falling into the trap of routine! Why should we live today like yesterday or tomorrow like today when we only have this moment in reality? Be on guard!

I am lucky to be a musician because every day I learn about life through practice and performance. And vice versa: my life is so exciting daily that it enriches my musical experience. Art and Life are inseparable. They are one. Therefore being a musician is a life lesson as long as I still breathing.